South West mum blog

Healthier packs of snacks: Walker’s Sunbites

Along with big chocolate bars and Nutella, crisps are something I’d love to have as a cupboard staple but don’t trust myself to keep lying around the house. They’re still a treat – for sharing with friends or for a Friday night in on the sofa (how weekends have changed).

When I was offered some Walker’s to trial, I leapt at the chance (well, anything for the blog…). And these weren’t just any crisp – these were Sunbites, with 30% less fat and made from ‘crunchy multigrain: whole corn, whole wheat and whole oat flour’. There are no added nasties and 30% of your recommended daily wholegrain (whatever that may be). So almost a healthy choice, then?

As they said on the info, a lot of ‘healthier’ crisps aren’t worthy of the name – they’re either cardboardy or full of air. Many a lunchtime I’ve tried to convince myself that Boots Shapers salt n’ vinegar chipsticks are just like the originals, but they’re really not – they’re a pale imitation and you only get about three in a pack.

The Sunbites, however, were crunchy and satisfying. A normal sized bag filled with crimped snacks that reminded me a bit of wheat crunchies in texture. Of the six flavours (Sun-Ripened Sweet Chili, Sour Cream and Cracked Black Pepper, Oven Roasted Onion & Rosemary, Cheddar and Caramelised Onion, and Lightly Sea Salted) my favourite was the Sea Salted, followed by the Oven Roasted Onion & Rosemary. My husband (who showed a sudden interest in my blog and was a particularly willing taster) liked the Sun-Ripened Sweet Chili. But I personally think chili and sour cream are two flavours that only full-fat versions can do justice do.

Good that they offered an imaginative range, though, and I can honestly say the packs didn’t last very long. Luckily I managed to get a picture of them all together before they went. Scrip loved all of them as well – although I try to make crisps an occasional treat for her and I could imagine these more as a lunchbox snack for school-aged children.

Sunbites are sold in a pack of six or small bags separately – I’d also like to see them as large bags in the way Sensations are sold. That way, our weekend snacking would still be tasty but wouldn’t have to be quite so indulgent.

What: Walker’s Sunbites – wholegrain snacks with 30% less fat than crisps
Where: all supermarkets and convenience stores
How much: A six-pack multipack of 25g Sunbites is RRP £1.79 or a single serve 28g pack is RRP £0.50.